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London to Istanbul with Interrail
Plan your own legendary rail adventure
It’s one of the world’s most iconic rail journeys: London to Istanbul (once Constantinople) via Paris. Agatha Christie’s exciting detective novel Murder on the Orient Express, gave the route a legendary status.
Now, the latest film adaptation starring Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer and Penelope Cruz shows that the route still evokes a sense of grandeur. Athough the service itself doesn’t exist anymore, it’s still possible to travel by rail from London to Istanbul - with an Interrail Global Pass!
Itinerary in short
Click here or on the map to view this route in our Trip Planner.
1. London, Great Britain
The first part of your epic rail adventure involves boarding the Eurostar high-speed train from London St Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. The trip can take as little as 2 hours and 23 minutes.
With Interrail you're covered for travel on the Eurostar – you’ll just have to reserve a seat.
Big Ben at night, London, Great Britain
From London to Paris
2. Paris, France
Spend a while exploring the French capital, giving yourself time to look around the beautiful Parisian train station. It witnessed the very first departure of the legendary train services in 1883.
When you’ve seen enough of Paris (has anyone ever, by the way?), hop on the daily direct TGV service to Munich from Gare de L’est – it takes you there in just 5 and a half hours, arriving in Munich in the evening.
Again, with Interrail you're covered for the TGV high-speed train, just make sure you reserve a seat beforehand.
The Eiffel Tower at Dawn - Paris, France
From Paris to Munich
3. Munich, Germany
Don’t let a visit to Munich – the capital city of the Bavaria region – pass by without visiting at least one of its famous Biergartens.
Ready to venture further east? Take the daily Euronight Lisinski train from Munich to Zagreb, passing through Austria and Slovenia. You’ll arrive in Zagreb in the morning.
Choose to nap in a seat or have your own bed aboard the night train.
Beer garden in Munich, Germany
From Munich to Zagreb
4. Zagreb, Croatia
In Zagreb, be sure to visit the historic luxury hotel Esplanade Zagreb Hotel. Built in 1925, it provided accommodation for the well-to-do rail travellers who passed by.
When it’s time to travel deeper into the Balkans, hop on the daily direct train service from Zagreb to Belgrade.
The train journey takes 6 and a half hours, arriving in the Serbian capital at the beginning of the evening.
View from high over Zagreb
From Zagreb to Belgrade
5. Belgrade, Serbia
Stay at least one night in Belgrade, because its nightlife is legendary. Easy on the booze though, you have a big day ahead of you tomorrow. There's no direct service from Belgrade to Sofia, but you can still make it!
Remember, just like the passengers back in the 19th century, we are looking for an adventure into the unknown. So let’s keep an open mind and head off the beaten track.
First, take the train from Belgrade to Nis, Serbia’s second biggest city. This takes about 5 hours. From here, change trains and head to the Serbian border town of Dimitrovgrad. There are several bus companies here that take you across the border to the Bulgarian capital in about an hour for only a few euros.
Belgrade fortress
From Belgrade to Sofia
6. Sofia, Bulgaria
Take some time to relax in laid-back Sofia as you embark on the final part of your journey into the exotic: the Sofia-Istanbul Express. This new train service takes you from Bulgaria to Turkey overnight, arriving in Istanbul in the early morning.
Couchette reservations start from just €10
St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia
From Sofia to Istanbul
7. Istanbul, Turkey
Istanbul at dawn
Interrail passes valid for this itinerary
